Hesburger is set to replace plastic beverage cup covers with new fibre-based alternatives developed in collaboration with Huhtamaki. The rollout will take place gradually across Hesburger restaurants as existing lid inventories are used up. The company said the switch is expected to eliminate 41,000 kg of plastic annually. The newly developed covers will be used on all soft drink cups along with medium-sized and large hot beverage cups. Made from fully renewable and forest-certified natural fibres, the lids can be recycled through cardboard or biowaste collection systems after use. Fibre Lids are being introduced as part of the company’s broader sustainability efforts tied to packaging materials and waste reduction.
According to Hesburger, the collaboration with Huhtamaki on fibre-based solutions began in 2025 when the restaurant chain first introduced fibre covers. “We started the development work with Huhtamaki already in 2025, when we introduced fiber covers for the first time. Based on the feedback we received from customers and staff, we decided to start developing our own branded fiber cover. The goal was to make the solution even more functional and completely plastic-free,” says Eeva Mäki, Hesburger’s International Sustainability Manager. Huhtamaki also highlighted the long-term cooperation between the two companies in packaging development. “The development of fibre covers with Hesburger has been smooth and interesting, and it has promoted the sustainability goals of both. This is made possible by the long-term cooperation between Hesburger and Huhtamaki in packaging,” says Mira Eklund, Key Account Manager, Huhtamaki.
The redesigned lids were developed to withstand both heat and moisture, allowing them to be used for hot and cold beverages alike. Hesburger stated that improvements were also made to the lid adapter and spout structure to help the cover remain firmly attached to the cup while lowering the possibility of leakage during use. “The new covers have received mainly positive feedback, and they have been found to be more functional and faster to install than their predecessors in use,” Mäki says. The company added that it intends to expand the use of the new Fibre Lids to Hesburger operating markets outside its current rollout regions as well.
